Page:The further side of silence (IA furthersideofsil00clifiala).pdf/273

 well, could fight the jungle-people with their own weapons.

The old headman, Ka', the Fish, who had taken the lead in the conversation since the arrival of the scouts, presently spoke again, still keeping his tired old eyes fixed upon the smouldering embers.

"By what sign did you learn that To' Pangku and To' Stia were with the Gobs?" he inquired.

It was evident from his tones that he was seeking comfort for himself and his fellows in the hope that the young scouts might perhaps have been mistaken. Laish, the Ant, the youth who until now had sat by the fire in silence, answered him promptly.

"We saw the track of the foot of To' Stia on the little sandbank below Legap, and knew it by the twisted toe," he said. "Also, as we turned to leave the place, wading upstream, seeking you others, the Familiar of To' Pangku called from out the jungle Thrice. Ile was, as it might be, yonder," and he indicated the direction by pointing with his out- stretched chin, as is the manner of his people.

The poor cowering wretches around the fires shuddered in unison, like a group of treetops when a puff of wind sets the branches swaying.

"The Grandfather of many Stripes," snarled Ka' in an awed whisper under his breath.

He spoke of him with deep respect, as of a chief of high repute, for every man and woman present knew of the Familiar Spirit which in the form of a tiger followed its master, To' Pangku, whithersoever he went, and even the little children had learned to